Hollywood power couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are heading for divorce after two years of marriage.
According to the document obtained by BBC, Lopez filed for divorce on Tuesday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The couple, famously dubbed ‘Bennifer, by the media, officially tied the knot in a low-key Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022.
A month later, they celebrated their union with a grander event in Georgia, surrounded by family and close friends.
Their relationship, which began nearly two decades ago on the set of the 2003 film ‘Gigli’, has been a long and winding journey.
Initially set to marry in 2003, the pair called off their engagement in early 2004, seemingly closing the chapter on their romance.
However, in a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, they rekindled their relationship nearly 20 years later.
“Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient,” Lopez reflected in 2022 following their Las Vegas nuptials.
Court filings reveal that Lopez, who had legally taken Affleck’s last name, has initiated the process to dissolve their marriage.
According to the documents, either Lopez or her attorney must serve Affleck with a copy of the divorce petition.
Notably, Lopez’s petition does not mention the existence of a prenuptial agreement, leaving the division of their assets in question.
The court has ordered both Lopez, 55, and Affleck, 52, to disclose detailed financial information, including their current income, expenses, properties, and debts.
They are required to keep the court informed of any significant changes to their financial situation until a final agreement on financial matters is reached. If either party fails to comply, the court could impose sanctions.
Speculation about the state of their relationship has been rife for months. Reports surfaced that the couple had put their Beverly Hills mansion on the market for $65 million, and they were both seen in public without their wedding rings, fueling rumours of a split.
Affleck, a two-time Academy Award winner, was previously married to actress Jennifer Garner.
The two met on the set of the 2001 film ‘Pearl Harbor’ and were married for a decade before separating in 2015.
They share three children.
Lopez has had her share of high-profile relationships as well. Her first marriage was to Cuban-born waiter Ojani Noa from 1997 to 1998, followed by a brief union with her former back-up dancer Cris Judd from 2001 to 2003.
Her longest marriage was to singer Marc Anthony, with whom she shares twins, lasting from 2004 to 2014. Lopez was also famously engaged to former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez before their relationship ended in 2021.
The court has given Lopez 60 days to file her financial disclosure, after which Affleck will have another 60 days to submit his.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the spotlight remains on one of Hollywood’s most iconic couples as they navigate the end of their highly publicized relationship.
